WO2000034739A3 - Method for the manufacture of hearing aid shells - Google Patents

Method for the manufacture of hearing aid shells Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000034739A3
WO2000034739A3 PCT/GB1999/004102 GB9904102W WO0034739A3 WO 2000034739 A3 WO2000034739 A3 WO 2000034739A3 GB 9904102 W GB9904102 W GB 9904102W WO 0034739 A3 WO0034739 A3 WO 0034739A3
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ear
data
canal
probe
manufacture
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1999/004102
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2000034739A2 (en
Inventor
William Forrest Fagan
Michael Frederick Johnson
Original Assignee
William Forrest Fagan
Michael Frederick Johnson
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB9827160A external-priority patent/GB2344555A/en
Priority claimed from GBGB9913993.3A external-priority patent/GB9913993D0/en
Priority claimed from GBGB9914923.9A external-priority patent/GB9914923D0/en
Application filed by William Forrest Fagan, Michael Frederick Johnson filed Critical William Forrest Fagan
Priority to EP99958399A priority Critical patent/EP1058594A2/en
Priority to AU15772/00A priority patent/AU1577200A/en
Publication of WO2000034739A2 publication Critical patent/WO2000034739A2/en
Publication of WO2000034739A3 publication Critical patent/WO2000034739A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/652—Ear tips; Ear moulds
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B17/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
    • G01B17/06—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic vibrations for measuring contours or curvatures
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/658—Manufacture of housing parts
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/103—Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
    • A61B5/107—Measuring physical dimensions, e.g. size of the entire body or parts thereof
    • A61B5/1076—Measuring physical dimensions, e.g. size of the entire body or parts thereof for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/12—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B33—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
    • B33Y—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
    • B33Y80/00—Products made by additive manufacturing

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Ultra Sonic Daignosis Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

This is a method for the manufacture of hearing aid shells that is more accurate and faster than present techniques. The method involves the use of a specially adapted ultrasonic probe head to safely measure the contours of the ear canal without contact with the surface being measured. The recording of the data in the ear canal is made possible by filling the canal with a liquid and using an ear stopper, at the entrance to the ear, that incorporates a probe guiding tube to ensure that no extraneous movement occurs during the measurement process. The probe head can either be withdrawn from the ear canal by means of a motor to record the shape data or, alternatively, remained fixed relative to the ear, the scanning being accomplished by electrically recording the data from a series of fixed transducer rings located along the longitudinal axis of the probe. The three-dimensional shape data is then processed in a computer that produces a digital image STL file.
PCT/GB1999/004102 1998-12-10 1999-12-06 Method for the manufacture of hearing aid shells WO2000034739A2 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP99958399A EP1058594A2 (en) 1998-12-10 1999-12-06 Method for the manufacture of hearing aid shells
AU15772/00A AU1577200A (en) 1998-12-10 1999-12-06 Method for the manufacture of hearing aid shells

Applications Claiming Priority (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9827160.4 1998-12-10
GB9827160A GB2344555A (en) 1998-12-10 1998-12-10 Method for the manufacture of hearing aid shells
GBGB9913993.3A GB9913993D0 (en) 1998-12-10 1999-06-17 Method for the manufacture of hearing aid shells
GB9913993.3 1999-06-17
GBGB9914923.9A GB9914923D0 (en) 1998-12-10 1999-06-28 Method for the manufacture of hearing aid shells
GB9914923.9 1999-06-28
GB9915481A GB2344556A (en) 1998-12-10 1999-07-05 Method for the manufacture of hearing aid shells
GB9915481.7 1999-07-05

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000034739A2 WO2000034739A2 (en) 2000-06-15
WO2000034739A3 true WO2000034739A3 (en) 2000-10-12

Family

ID=27451853

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1999/004102 WO2000034739A2 (en) 1998-12-10 1999-12-06 Method for the manufacture of hearing aid shells

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1058594A2 (en)
AU (1) AU1577200A (en)
GB (1) GB2348705A (en)
WO (1) WO2000034739A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7014010B2 (en) 2000-06-30 2006-03-21 Phonak Ag Method for manufacturing an ear device and ear device
JP2004502392A (en) * 2000-06-30 2004-01-22 フォーナック　アーゲー Method for manufacturing in-ear hearing aid and in-ear hearing aid
US6540045B1 (en) 2000-06-30 2003-04-01 Phonak Ag Method for manufacturing an ear device and ear device
GB2365127A (en) * 2000-07-20 2002-02-13 Jomed Imaging Ltd Catheter
US7625335B2 (en) 2000-08-25 2009-12-01 3Shape Aps Method and apparatus for three-dimensional optical scanning of interior surfaces
US7050876B1 (en) 2000-10-06 2006-05-23 Phonak Ltd. Manufacturing methods and systems for rapid production of hearing-aid shells
ES2378060T3 (en) 2001-03-02 2012-04-04 3Shape A/S Procedure for modeling custom ear pieces
EP1246507A1 (en) 2001-03-26 2002-10-02 Widex A/S A hearing aid with a tightening ring
EP1246506A1 (en) 2001-03-26 2002-10-02 Widex A/S A CAD/CAM system for designing a hearing aid
EP1246505A1 (en) 2001-03-26 2002-10-02 Widex A/S A hearing aid with a face plate that is automatically manufactured to fit the hearing aid shell
US7251025B2 (en) 2001-05-17 2007-07-31 Oticon A/S Method and apparatus for obtaining position data relating to a probe in the ear canal
EP1392164B1 (en) 2001-05-17 2012-07-25 Oticon A/S Method for obtaining geometrical data relating to the ear canal of the human body
ATE474497T1 (en) 2001-05-17 2010-08-15 Oticon As METHOD AND DEVICE FOR LOCALIZING FOREIGN OBJECTS IN THE EAR CANAL
DK1276349T3 (en) * 2001-07-09 2004-10-11 Widex As Hearing aid with a self-test feature
US7139404B2 (en) 2001-08-10 2006-11-21 Hear-Wear Technologies, Llc BTE/CIC auditory device and modular connector system therefor
US20040181128A1 (en) * 2003-03-11 2004-09-16 Masters Martin W. Determining the geometry and dimensions of a three-dimensional object
US7162323B2 (en) 2004-04-05 2007-01-09 Hearing Aid Express, Inc. Decentralized method for manufacturing hearing aid devices
US7720243B2 (en) 2006-10-12 2010-05-18 Synygis, Llc Acoustic enhancement for behind the ear communication devices
US8840558B2 (en) * 2008-06-05 2014-09-23 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Method and apparatus for mathematically characterizing ear canal geometry
DK2258266T3 (en) * 2009-06-05 2012-07-09 Starkey Lab Inc Method and apparatus for mathematically characterizing the ear canal geometry
EP4018935A1 (en) * 2020-12-23 2022-06-29 Sonova AG Method for determining a geometry of an ear canal or a portion of an ear of a person

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4809708A (en) * 1987-08-12 1989-03-07 Nicolet Instrument Corporation Method and apparatus for real bar measurements
EP0381608A2 (en) * 1989-02-01 1990-08-08 Gn Danavox A/S Method and apparatus for the fitting of a hearing aid, and associated probe
EP0398237A2 (en) * 1989-05-17 1990-11-22 Ascom Audiosys Ag Method for manufacturing hearing aids
US5099850A (en) * 1989-01-17 1992-03-31 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus
DE4135286C1 (en) * 1991-10-25 1993-01-14 Siemens Ag, 8000 Muenchen, De Outer ear hearing passage and=or lug measurer - uses insertable vessel fillable with liq. to register individual shape for insertable housing of hearing aid
US5211169A (en) * 1990-11-08 1993-05-18 Prism Imaging, Inc. Blood pool imaging and analysis technique using ultrasound
WO1994022372A1 (en) * 1993-04-01 1994-10-13 Madsen Electronics A/S Probe for audiometric apparatus
US5487012A (en) * 1990-12-21 1996-01-23 Topholm & Westermann Aps Method of preparing an otoplasty or adaptive earpiece individually matched to the shape of an auditory canal
BE1010200A3 (en) * 1996-04-26 1998-03-03 Variphone Benelux Naamloze Ven Method and device for manufacturing earpieces

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2082769B (en) * 1980-06-24 1984-06-13 Olympus Optical Co Improvements in ultrasonic diagnosis systems
GB2212267B (en) * 1987-11-11 1992-07-29 Circulation Res Ltd Methods and apparatus for the examination and treatment of internal organs
US5331947A (en) * 1992-05-01 1994-07-26 Shturman Cardiology Systems, Inc. Inflatable sheath for introduction of ultrasonic catheter through the lumen of a fiber optic endoscope
GB2293240B (en) * 1994-09-15 1998-05-20 Intravascular Res Ltd Ultrasonic visualisation method and apparatus
US5830144A (en) * 1995-03-28 1998-11-03 Vesely; Ivan Tracking data sheath
US5876345A (en) * 1997-02-27 1999-03-02 Acuson Corporation Ultrasonic catheter, system and method for two dimensional imaging or three-dimensional reconstruction

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4809708A (en) * 1987-08-12 1989-03-07 Nicolet Instrument Corporation Method and apparatus for real bar measurements
US5099850A (en) * 1989-01-17 1992-03-31 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus
EP0381608A2 (en) * 1989-02-01 1990-08-08 Gn Danavox A/S Method and apparatus for the fitting of a hearing aid, and associated probe
EP0398237A2 (en) * 1989-05-17 1990-11-22 Ascom Audiosys Ag Method for manufacturing hearing aids
US5056204A (en) * 1989-05-17 1991-10-15 Ascom Audiosys Ag Method of producing hearing aids
US5211169A (en) * 1990-11-08 1993-05-18 Prism Imaging, Inc. Blood pool imaging and analysis technique using ultrasound
US5487012A (en) * 1990-12-21 1996-01-23 Topholm & Westermann Aps Method of preparing an otoplasty or adaptive earpiece individually matched to the shape of an auditory canal
DE4135286C1 (en) * 1991-10-25 1993-01-14 Siemens Ag, 8000 Muenchen, De Outer ear hearing passage and=or lug measurer - uses insertable vessel fillable with liq. to register individual shape for insertable housing of hearing aid
WO1994022372A1 (en) * 1993-04-01 1994-10-13 Madsen Electronics A/S Probe for audiometric apparatus
BE1010200A3 (en) * 1996-04-26 1998-03-03 Variphone Benelux Naamloze Ven Method and device for manufacturing earpieces

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2348705A (en) 2000-10-11
AU1577200A (en) 2000-06-26
WO2000034739A2 (en) 2000-06-15
GB9929197D0 (en) 2000-02-02
EP1058594A2 (en) 2000-12-13

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